Evelyn was so nice and nothing like I thought she’d be. Having now spent time with them both, it feels as if they are heading in different directions.
As I head for my massage, I wonder what Jack’s doing. I’m not even sure if he went on the trip. He stormed off after breakfast and by the time I left to come here he hadn’t returned.
Bianca directs me to a darkened room, and it’s so peaceful in here. It feels tranquil and smells amazing.
As instructed, I hang my robe on the hook on the wall and position myself face down on the bench that has been covered in a towel. The air conditioning cools my heated skin and the smell of sandalwood and eucalyptus calms my spirit. All around the room are lotus blooms that look majestic and beautiful, and I sigh with pleasure.
The soft music lulls me into a state of relaxation that I sorely need, and then I hear the click of the door opening as the masseuse enters the room.
To my surprise, I hear a male voice speaking in a thick foreign accent as he says deeply, “My name is Fredo, I will be your masseuse.”
Strangely, I don’t feel uncomfortable about the fact I’m lying naked on a bench with the prospect of a stranger touching my body. In fact, I’m looking forward to it and I laugh to myself as I picture the look on Jack’s face if he could see me now.
I feel the oil hit my body and almost groan out loud as he begins to work it into my skin. The scent, the soft lighting and the seductive music relaxes me and it feels so good being manipulated by his strong hands and I am loving every minute of it. No words are needed as I indulge in the ultimate pleasure as I live the dream.
The time passes quickly and I almost fall asleep before I hear the door click shut behind me, signifying the end of the session. Stretching out with contentment, I swing my legs off the bench and feel a sense of calm that wasn’t there before. This was just what I needed and as I slip on my robe, I am looking forward to experiencing more of the same.
I am shown back to the pool by Bianca and see the pretty girl I noticed on the ride from the airport. As I take the seat beside her, she smiles. “Hi, I’m Emma.”
“Kim.”
I settle down and groan. “That massage was amazing. Have you had yours yet?”
“Yes, and to be honest, it was a little embarrassing because I got so turned on.”
She winks and I laugh. “Yes, it was quite a sensual one, probably because it was a man.”
“Hmm, probably.”
She looks around and sighs with contentment. “You know, I’m loving this place. It’s doubtful I will ever be the same again.”
“Me too. A week just isn’t long enough.”
We see one of the women walking past and Emma calls out, “Hey, Chloe, how was the mud room?”
“Amazing, have you done that yet?”
“Yes, I’m just waiting for another cocktail, what about you?”
“Massage.”
We both groan with appreciation and then laugh as she raises her eyes. “It’s good then.”
“The best.” Emma shouts across the space dividing us. “Word of warning, it’s a man who is great with his hands, just saying.”
I notice that Chloe’s smile dims a little and smile reassuringly. “Honestly, it’s amazing. Really good.”
She nods and says loudly, “I’ll let you know.”
As she heads off, Emma watches her go with a troubled look. “Did she look ok to you?”
“A little worried when you mentioned the man.”
“Yes, I thought so too, I wonder why?”
“It was probably nothing. Some people feel a bit funny about that. To be honest, I was at first, but as soon as he started massaging that oil in my skin, I forgot my own name, let alone the sex of the person doing it.”
“I was pleased it was a man, it would have felt weird if it was a woman.”
Emma laughs and I grin. “You make a good point.”
She says with interest. “Did you win this competition like me?”
“Yes, how amazing is that? I never normally bother, there are so many of them, but this one looked so inviting I couldn’t resist.”
“Yes, me too. I saw it loads before I actually bothered to comment. Sometimes I’m like that. They say people see things seven times before they buy. Maybe it’s a psychological thing, it becomes more familiar and sets your mind at rest.”
“Yes, I was surprised there weren’t that many comments though.”
“Yes, me too, although sometimes they run several ads for these things.”
“You seem to know a lot about it.”
I look at Emma with interest and she nods. “I run my own company.”
“That’s impressive.”
“Not really.” She laughs a little bitterly. “It’s not doing that well as it happens.”
“I’m sorry to hear that, what do you do?”
“I bake. Cakes, biscuits, bread, that sort of thing. Mainly I cater for corporate events but they’ve dried up lately and so I’ve been targeting smaller restaurants, although that doesn’t work because they mainly prepare their own. Business is a little shaky, which is why I was desperate to get away. Ignore the inevitable and postpone actually having to look for a job.”
“That’s terrible, do you think you’ll have to resort to that?”
“Yes, unless…”
I note the spark in her eye as she leans in and whispers, “Unless the extremely hot guy I’ve met here, makes me an offer I can’t refuse.”
“Seriously!” I stare at her in surprise and she grins. “Honestly, Kim, this guy is gorgeous. He owns this place as it happens and can’t do enough for me.”
“He owns this place, that’s…”
“Destiny.” Emma looks so pleased with herself, I push aside any reservations I have.
“You see, Kim. I’ve never been lucky in love. When I was at college, I was popular and I attracted all the good-looking guys and quite honestly had a great time there. Maybe that’s why I was never interested in settling down with one man. I had my pick of the bunch and I was ruthless in my picking. The trouble is, when college ended and I actually had to work for a living, the man-candy dried up and I found most of my friends had drifted away. Setting up business on my own didn’t give me many opportunities to meet the right man and so I have struggled a little, just dabbling in online dating to get me out at night.”
“And now.”
“Now I’ve met the dream and I’m not joking; this man ticks all the boxes. But I only have a few more days with him. What if it’s like all the others and I’m left to return home with nothing but a delicious memory to keep me warm?”
“Can you swap numbers, arrange to meet again perhaps?”
“Maybe.” She looks thoughtful. “He is English and lives there. In fact, he was telling me that now his business is sorted, he’s looking for a wife.”
“There you go then, he’s ripe for the picking.”
I smile with encouragement and she nods happily. “Yes, you’re right. Strike while the iron’s hot and I’ll reel my man in. Thanks, Kim, it’s been good to chat.”
She stands and says ruefully, “Time for my facial, what have you got next?”
“The mud room followed by a facial. I’m expecting miracles though and hope to walk out of here a new woman.”
She grins and as we part company, I’m glad I came. That’s two women I’ve met who were good company. I feel rested and am starting to believe that my problems could disappear with just a little time and readjusted goals. Thinking of the two women I met and their situation, reminds me that I’m the lucky one because my husband is everything to me and if the worst thing is we can’t have children, then I must support him in that because I married him for a reason, and I can’t imagine my life without him in it.